Armenian PM's aide quits post after election disappointment

Arayik Harutyunyan, Chief of Staff to Armenia’s Prime Minister, has submitted his resignation, according to Armenian media reports cited by Caliber.Az.

The move follows earlier speculation about Harutyunyan’s political future. The newspaper Zhoghovurd previously reported that he plans to seek a parliamentary mandate. Media outlets have also suggested that he fell out of favour with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan after parliamentary elections, during which he led the ruling party’s campaign headquarters but failed to secure the expected outcome.

Separate reports have indicated that Harutyunyan could be appointed head of Armenia’s National Olympic Committee, replacing businessman and politician Gagik Tsarukyan, who is currently under arrest.

Meanwhile, Lilit Makunts — Armenia’s former ambassador to the United States and a senior adviser to Pashinyan — is seen as a potential successor for the chief of staff role. According to media reports, she has already submitted her resignation from her parliamentary seat.

By Tamilla Hasanova